Bihar has a new chess hero, and his name is Reyan Md. Still young, he is already being talked about as someone who could become Bihar’s first-ever Grandmaster (GM) — the highest title in chess. Recently, Bihar’s Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh honored him and handed over financial support of ₹22.50 lakh to help him reach that dream.
Bihar Steps Up for Its Star Player
This government support is a big deal. The money will help Reyan train better, travel to international tournaments, and work his way up through chess titles — from his current Candidate Master (CM) level to International Master (IM) and then Grandmaster. When the government backs young talent like this, it encourages hundreds of other kids to pick up the game too.
It All Started with a Ludo Board
Reyan’s story has a lovely beginning. His grandparents once gifted him a Ludo board and on the other side of it was a chessboard. That accidental discovery sparked a lifelong passion, and Reyan soon made the leap from casual games to serious, formal training.
The Coaches Who Shaped a Champion
Every great player has great teachers behind them, and Reyan has been fortunate to have several. His first formal coach, Ved Prakash, laid the foundation, building the discipline and basics that all strong players need. Reyan then sharpened his skills further under Rakesh Ranjan and Vipal Subhashi, steadily growing into a more complete player.
Then came the pandemic, and with it, a whole new set of challenges. Tournaments stopped, training halls closed, and the entire world shifted online. But Reyan did not slow down. He adapted quickly, taking online classes with Ashutosh Kumar to stay focused and keep improving despite the difficult circumstances. This period also brought a remarkable opportunity — Reyan got to learn from GM Alexander Goloshapov, a Grandmaster from Ukraine, giving him exposure to world-class thinking and international-level preparation at a young age.
As things returned to normal, Reyan continued his growth under his current coach Siddhant Gaikwad, while also benefiting from group sessions led by the highly regarded Ramesh Ramachandran — a coach known for nurturing some of India’s finest young talents.
A Trophy Cabinet That Speaks for Itself
In a short time, Reyan has achieved what most players take years to accomplish:
- National Under-13 Open Champion (2024)
- National Under-13 Schools Chess Champion (2024)
- Senior Bihar State Champion (2024) — with a flawless 9 out of 9 score
- Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship 2026 Under-18 Champion
These wins have made people across India sit up and take notice.
Inspired by World Champion Gukesh
Reyan looks up to D. Gukesh, the current World Chess Champion, and tries to bring the same calm yet sharp style to his own game. Off the board, he studies at GD Goenka Public School in Patna and stays fit by cycling and playing table tennis, proving that a champion’s life is about balance, not just chess.
Also Read: Atiqa Mir Makes Spectacular Victory In Greece
Bihar’s Grandmaster Dream Is Getting Closer
The government’s recognition of Reyan is not just about money — it is a sign that Bihar believes in its young talent. India is already one of the strongest chess nations in the world, and players like Reyan are the reason why. With the right training, family backing, and now government support, Bihar’s first Grandmaster may arrive sooner than anyone expected.
Reyan Md is on his way — one move at a time.
By Purvi Sehrawat
